01845221

Component

https://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/182751.aspx

Since the 1960s, the speed limit has commonly been set at a street’s 85th percentile operating speed—that is, the speed of the third fastest driver out of 20. However, this status quo speed limit setting approach contributes to thousands of deaths on U.S. roads every year. In this article, the author discusses the drawbacks of percentile-based tools for setting speed limits, examines the benefits of reducing speed limits, and suggests a safe systems approach for speed limit setting.

English

pp 38-41

2022-3

TR News

Digital/other

Figures; References

Speed limits; Traffic safety

Safe System Approach

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

May 10 2022 10:41AM

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